Mail delivery signal with flexible adapter

ABSTRACT

For use on and in conjunction with a predetermined centralized (1) exterior or (2) interior surface of the horizontal top wall and rear vertical closed or end wall of a conventional-type rural mailbox, a mail delivery signalling and indicator device characterized by spaced distributively mounted guide means oriented in properly lined up use. These guides, eyes or the like, serve to accommodate a single length of exteriorly or interiorly arranged weather and wear resisting cord. This cord, preferably nylon, is of a suitable length and has a forward end equipped with a door-controlled anchor. A portion of the cord is slidingly threaded through the guide-eyes and the rearward or terminal end portion is provided with a signalling weight which may be a ball or, alternatively, a color-coded cube. When the device is set by the patron the anchoring means, head or flap is retentively but releasably lodged between the flanged door and open end or edge of the mailbox. The signalling weight on the rear end is normally suspended in an elevated position adjacent to the rear end wall and, when the door is opened by the carrier, the anchoring means is freed and the weight descends to a level below the box to assume its signalling position.

Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Attorney, Agenl, 0r FirmClarence A. ()Brien;

Harvey B. Jacobson United States Patent 11 1 1 3,904,108

File Sept. 9, 1975 MAIL DELIVERY SIGNAL WITH FLEXIBLE ADAPTER 57 1 ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Robert File P'O' BOX 3006 For use on and in conjunction with a predetermined Albuquerque N' 87110 centralized (l) exterior or (2) interior surface of the [22] Filedi P 1974 horizontal top wall and rear vertical closed or end wall 4 of a conventional-type rural mailbox, a mail delivery [211 Appl' 463,157 signalling and indicator device characterized by spaced distributively mounted guide means oriented in [52] US. Cl. 232/35 properly lined up use These guides, eyes or the like [51] Int. Cl. A476 29/12 serve to accommodate a single length of exteriorly or [58] Field of Search 232/35, 34 interiorly arranged weather and wear resisting cord, This cord, preferably nylon, is ofa suitable length and [56] R f r n s C d has a forward end equipped with a doorcontrolled an- UNITED STATES PATENTS chor. A portion of the cord is slidingly threaded 1,102,977 7/1914 Carver 232/35 through the guide-eyes and the rearward or erminal 1248,17 11/1917 Schubenfl 232/35 end portion is provided with a signalling weight which 973020 9 934 Smith V 232/35 may be a ball or, alternatively, a color-coded cube. 2,609,787 9/1952 Lawson... 232/35 When the device is set by the patron the anchoring 2,815,167 l2/l957 Bales... 232/35 means, head or flap is retentively but releasably 2374.395 2/1959 PP 232/35 lodged between the flanged door and open end or 31026-024 3/1962 Holmgm 232/35 edge of the mailbox. The signalling weight on the rear 329L386 2/1966 van Fleet 232/35 end is normally suspended in an elevated position ad- 3,596,63l 8/l97l Sutton 232/35 d n and when the door is 3,606J41 9 1971 Taylor 232 35 rear F 3.675345 7/1972 Seheerer 232 35 Opened by the camel the aflchormg means ls freed and the weight descends to a level below the box to assume its signalling position.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 9 75 SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENTED 975 3 904 1 SHEET 2 UF 2 MAIL DELIVERY SIGNAL WITH FLEXIBLE ADAPTER This invention relates to signals of a type which are structurally designed and functionally adapted to cope with rural mail service difficulties and has to do with a unique auxiliary or supplemental signal, that is, a simple box-mounted mechanical incoming mail indicator or signal which is not to be confused with the currently used outgoing mail pick-up flag and, as a matter of fact, is used in conjunction with the pick-up flag but serves to alert the resident or patron that the mail carrier has visited the box and, having picked up mail for dispatch, may have also deposited incoming mail.

As is known by persons conversant with rural free delivery service postal regulations provide that carriers are not called upon to open or examine the mailbox of a patron only when the customary pickup signalling flag is up and indicates that the box contains outgoing mail for dispatch. The carrier, having picked up the mail is then called upon to lower the flag to its down position and this procedure is followed whether or not he delivers mail to that particular box.

As is now known many and varied rural mailboxes have been devised and experimentally used where, for instance, main and auxiliary pickup and delivery flags and signals have been utilized. Despite the efforts of others working in this field of endeavor it appears that prior art dual signalling flags and indicators have not met with widespread adoption and use.

An object of the present invention is to advance the art of rural mailboxes equipped with flags and signals to aid the mail carrier and patron, whereby to more satisfactorily coordinate their mutual efforts and minimize making many and often needless trips to the distant box as is presently accepted as prevailing but unsatisfactory practice.

For background information attention is invited to the rural mailbox signalling means disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,609,787, granted to Raymond H. Lawson which utilizes a structure said to be clearly visible from a point distant from the position of the mailbox and which is such in operation that as soon as the mail car rier opens the door to place mail in the box, the auxiliary signal means functions without requiring the attention of the mail carrier. As showing a flexible element with a ball'like anchor lodged between the cover and box, attention is invited to US. Pat. No. 3,596,631 granted to Donald F. Sutton. Also and because it shows an indicating ball ascending from an elevated position to a down signalling position and which utilizes door actuated means attention is invited to US. Pat. No.

2,815,167 granted to Ray E. Bailes et al.

Briefly and as will be evident from the views of the drawing, the mailbox itself is unaltered. The incoming mail signalling means is, generally stated, in the form of an attachment. It is characterized, generically stated, by an elongated flexible element, a length of cord for example, having a forward end, a rearward end and an intervening median or body portion. Closed door posi tioning anchor means is securely fastened to and cooperahle with the forward end and when in use the end portion is positioned between the box surface and flange of the door so that an anchoring head or flap is retained in its given position and stays put until the door is intentionally swung open by the carrier. A por tion of the cord is shiftably slidable through aligned longitudinally spaced guide-eyes mounted (interiorly or exteriorly) in cooperating positions. The rearward end is provided with a weight which may take the form of a cube or a ball. Normally, the weight is suspended or hung above or close to the level of the bottom of the box and adjacent to the closed or end wall. When however the door of the box is opened the weight descends and assumes the desired easy-to-see signalling position.

Experience has shown that the invention is simple in construction, is economical and lends itself to use on virtually all types of mailboxes approved for use on rural routes. The aforementioned guide-eyes not only serve to adequately and satisfactorily install the shiftably slidable line or cord, they are preferably such that they do not require drilling of the box and in fact may be provided with magnets or adhesively secured for cooperative functioning.

Experience has shown that the invention does not impede the delivery of mail or interfere with the permissible procedures of the carrier. The device is such in appearance and construction that it cannot be confused with the regularly employed mail pickup flag. When the ball or cube is in signalling position, mail having been delivered, the suspended signal when blown by wind currents, assumes a pendulous position and may swing back and forth thus adding to the attraction aspects of the concept. The device in signalling position can be seen from all angles.

As will be hereinafter more clearly evident the instant disclosure embodies two forms of the invention one comprehended in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive and the other one in FIGS. 5 and 6. The specification and claims have been prepared to comprehend the generic and species aspects of the overall concept.

The above and other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a conventional rural mailbox, the improved mail delivery signal with flexible adapter means, the signalling block being in its normal elevated position and the headed end of the cord being held by the closed door in its captive position, the usual pickup flag having been omitted.

FIG. 2 is a view also in perspective and based on FIG. 1 and showing the door swung down to open position in phantom lines, showing the mail delivery signal released and also showing the signalling weight sus pended and dangling in the manner suggested in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view taken approximately on the plane of the line 33 of FIG, 1 looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 4 is a view based on FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing a slight modification that is wherein the signalling member comprises a ball instead of a cube.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention wherein the primary features are enclosed within the confines of the box.

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal section through the box with the component features appearing in elevation.

With reference first to FIGS. 1 to 4 and particularly to FIG. 4 (which shows a slight modification), the only variation, as will hereinafter be clarified, has to do with the substitution of a (l) sphere or ball or (2) a cube and, in all instances, this component part will be generically set forth as a descending and swinging weight of requisite heaviness. Under the circumstances it is believed that like reference characters are properly usable to designate like parts throughout FIGS. 1 to 4.

With reference now to the box it will be noted that it is denoted by the numeral 6 and is of conventional construction and is characterized by a horizontal bottom wall 8 (FIG. 2), elongated vertical side walls 10 and a rounded top wall or crown portion 12. the door 14 is of conventional construction and serves to close the cooperating open front end of the box. The door is pivotally mounted on the bottom portion of the box as denoted at 16 and has customary encompassing flanges 18. The customarily used bracket is denoted at 20 and has an outstanding end portion with a keeper 22 to accommodate a coordinating detent 23 on the latch means 24 carried by the upper exterior portion of the door. The remaining vertical wall is referred to as the end wall 26 and is of conventional construction.

The incoming mail signalling means herein revealed is such that it does not require alterations in the box and is characterized by an elongated flexible element, for example, a length of nylon cord which is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 28. The forward end portion of this cord is designated at 30 and is provided with an anchor or detent 32 which may be described either as a ball or a ball-like head. This end portion 30 and the ball-like head can be lodged and held captively in place in the manner shown in phantom lines in FIG. I and in full lines in FIG. 3. The end portion of the cord overhangs the edge of the wall portion of the box and the head is lodged between the door and box. As long as the door remains latched in its closed position the cord 20 stays put. The rearward end portion of the cord is denoted at 34 and is secured as at 36 to one face of a suitably color-coded weight, more particularly a cube or block 38. The cord is shiftably and slidably mounted in longitudinally spaced coordinating guide-eyes. One guide-eye is denoted at 40, a second one at 42 and a third one at 44. These guide-eyes may be provided with base members 46 which could be in the form of magnets and magnetically held in place or may be adhesively secured. In any event the guide-eyes are properly located and lined up to accommodatingly locate and slidably mount the cord. Under the circumstances it will be seen that when the headed end 32 is captive as shown in FIG. 3 the cord is taut and the end portion 34 hangs down over the end wall 26, the weight or signal being then elevated above the bottom 8. Just as soon as the carrier opens the door to pick up mail or leave mail the headed end 32 is freed and the weight pulls the cord from the normal set position in FIG. 1 to the operating position shown in FIG. 2. The head 32 then comes into contact with the eye and functions as a limit stop. It will be evident that when the line is in the released position shown in FIG. 2 the weight or block assumes a signalling position below the level of the bottom wall of the box and if acted upon by wind it may swing to and fro in a pendulous manner. By coloring the surfaces of the weight or block it is all the more attractive and can be seen from a greater distance particularly when swinging in a pendulous manner.

In lieu of the block 38 the weight may take the form of a spherical ball as denoted at 48 in FIG. 9. Hereagain the ball may, if desired, be colored and it too is sub jected to a pendulous attraction-promoting movement. Where a block or cube is used the surfaces afford excellent locations for ads and other indicia (not shown).

With reference now to the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 it will be evident that the box 6A corresponds to the box already described and shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2. For convenience of reference the box is a conventional type and is characterized by a horizontal bottom wall 50 which is intact except that in order to accommodate this form of the invention a hole 52 is bored therethrough adjacent the rear end wall 54 of the box. The box proper comprises vertical side walls 56 and the convex top portion 58. The door 60 is of conventional construction and serves to close the cooperating front end of the box. The door is pivotally mounted on the coacting bot' tom portion of the box as denoted at 62 and embodies the customary encompassing lateral flange 64 releasably engagable over the end or edge portion 66 as shown in FIG. 6. The customarily used and fixedly mounted L-shaped bracket is denoted at 68 and is provided with a concave convex of the concave convex bend or bent portion 70 providing a detent and releasably engagable with a keeper seat 72 on the coordinating clip or bracket 74 carried by the top of the box. Thus the only significant alteration of the box is the cord accommodating hole 52 which, it will be noted, is located within the confines of the box proper.

The incoming mail signalling means shown in these figures also comprises an elongated flexible element, for example, a length of nylon cord which is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 76, the median portion of the cord being denoted at 78 and the forward end portion at 80 (FIG. 6). This end portion is provided with the releasable cord positioning and anchoring means which, more specifically, comprises a leather or an equivalent elongated flap 82. This flap is shown in a released position in phantom lines in FIG. 5 and in a set ready-to-function position as shown in full lines in FIG. 6. The opposite or rearward end portion of the flexible element denoted at 84 is joined by a knot, as at 86 to the normally elevated but automatic descending signalling weight 88. It may be pointed out here that the weight may be either colored and block-like or balllike whichever is desired to conform with the form of the invention covered in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive.

In order to operatively support the flexible cord guide-eyes or equivalent supporting and guiding means are provided. One such guide-eye is denoted at 90 and the other one at 92 and these eyes are of suitable construction and size and are adhesively or otherwise se cured to interior surfaces of the crown portion of the box, that is the interior of the part 58 of the box.

It will be evident, having considered the description of FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, that the normal or set position of the cord and its signalling means is shown in FIG. 6. It will be noted here that the flap is pulled forward by the resident and is bent upon itself as shown at the left in FIG. 6, being captively but releasably held between the edge 66 and the flange 64. As soon as the carrier opens the door to pick up mail or leave mail, the flap is freed and the signalling weight 88 pulls the cord from the set position to the operating position shown properly in full and phantom lines in FIG. 5. In this ar rangement the flap 82 functions as a check or stop and abuts the forward eye 90 thus limiting the descent of the wieght 88.

Depending on weather conditions and including snow and ice and considering the fact that the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive is exterior it can be appreciated that the simplified form appearing in FIGS. 5 and 6 satisfies the desired inside mounting approach which requires only the drilling of one hole in the rear bottom wall of the mailbox to allow the flexible element to reach a signalling ball or cube. In addition to solving the snow and ice problem the inside mounting approach would not detract from the overall appearance of the box and also, it would not be so obvious to children who might otherwise tamper with the exterior mounted type. With respect to the aforementioned flap 82 it may be added that it may take the form of a patch of nylon or leather as is deemed to be clear.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the views of the drawing in conjunction with the specification will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter of the invention and, accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a conventional-type rural mailbox embodying a horizontal bottom wall, vertical side walls, a horizontal top wall, a vertical end wall closing one end, open at its opposite mail inserting and removing end, a marginally flanged closing door for said open end, said door being pivotally mounted on a coordinating end of said bottom wall a d adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly in a manner, as usual, to uncover said open end, latching and retaining means on said door and mailbox, respectively, normally securing said door in a closed position, an elongated flexible cord, means slidingly and operatively mounting said cord on said mailbox, said flexible cord embodying a forward end, a rearward end and an intervening median portion, a closed-door positioning and anchoring means attached to and cooperatively carried by said forward end and adapted to be retentively but releasably held, when said door is closed, in a set but readyto-function position, said mounting means including a guide eye mounted on said top wall of the mailbox adjacent its longitudinal center and a guide eye mounted adjacent the juncture between the top wall and end wall of the mailbox for retaining a major portion of the cord adjacent the top wall and the remainder of the cord depending therefrom, guide means on the mailbox spaced vertically downwardly from said guide eye adjacent the juncture of the top wall and end wall for guiding a portion of the cord vertically alongside the end wall of the mailbox, and a weight attached to and carried by the rearward end of said flexible cord and being disposed below said guide means for vertical movement from an elevated position adjacent said guide means when the anchoring means is secured by the closed door, said weight constituting a signal and automatically descending to and maintaining a signalling position substantially below the bottom wall of the mailbox when the door of said mailbox is opened by the carrier to pick up outgoing mail or to deliver incoming mail, said weight providing an easy-to-see signal suspended by the cord in a pendulum-like manner for highly reliable attention-attracting purposes, wherein said guide eye on the top wall of the mailbox is mounted exteriorly thereof, said guide eye at the junction between the top wall and end wall being mounted on the exterior thereof, said guide means disposed below the guide eye adjacent the juncture between the top and rear wall including a guide eye mounted substantially centrally of the end wall on the exterior surface thereof with the weight being concealed behind the mailbox and along side of the end wall adjacent the guide eye thereon when in elevated position and being of sufficienct weight to pull the cord longitudinally when the anchoring means is released by opening the door so that the weight will depend substantially below the bottom wall of the mailbox, said guide eye on the center of the top wall of the mailbox serving as a limit means for engagement by said anchor means when the weight pulls the cord longitudinally when the door is opened thereby limiting the downward movement of the weight, said anchoring means on the forward end portion of the cord inclding an enlargement disposed interiorly of the upper edge of the top wall of the mailbox with the adjacent portion of the flexible cord being received be tween the edge of the top wall of the mailbox and the door when the door is in closed position thus retaining the weight in elevated, substantially concelaed and non-signally position alongside of the end wall of the mailbox and immediately adjacent the guide eye on the end wall of the mailbox. 

1. In combination, a conventional-type rural mailbox embodying a horizontal bottom wall, vertical side walls, a horizontal top wall, a vertical end wall closing one end, open at its opposite mail inserting and removing end, a marginally flanged closing door for said open end, said door being pivotally mounted on a coordinating end of said bottom wall and adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly in a manner, as usual, to uncover said open end, latching and retaining means on said door and mailbox, respectively, normally securing said door in a closed position, an elongated flexible cord, means slidingly and operatively mounting said cord on said mailbox, said flexible cord embodying a forward end, a rearward end and an intervening median portion, a closed-door positioning and anchoring means attached to and cooperatively carried by said forward end and adapted to be retentively but releasably held, when said door is closed, in a set but ready-to-function position, said mounting means including a guide eye mounted on said top wall of the mailbox adjacent its longitudinal center and a guide eye mounted adjacent the juncture between the top wall and end wall of the mailbox for retaining a major portion of the cord adjacent the top wall and the remainder of the cord depending therefrom, guide means on the mailbox spaced vertically downwardly from said guide eye adjacent the juncture of the top wall and end wall for guiding a portion of the cord vertically alongside the end wall of the mailbox, and a weight attached to and carried by the rearward end of said flexible cord and being disposed below said guide means for vertical movement from an elevated position adjacent said guide means when the anchoring means is secured by the closed door, said weight constituting a signal and automatically descending to and maintaining a signalling position substantially below the bottom wall of the mailbox when the door of said mailbox is opened by the carrier to pick up outgoing mail or to deliver incoming mail, said weight providing an easy-to-see signal suspended by the cord in a pendulum-like manner for highly reliable attention-attracting purposes, wherein said guide eye on the top wall of the mailbox is mounted exteriorly thereof, said guide eye at the junction between the top wall and end wall being mounted on the exterior thereof, said guide means disposed below tHe guide eye adjacent the juncture between the top and rear wall including a guide eye mounted substantially centrally of the end wall on the exterior surface thereof with the weight being concealed behind the mailbox and alongside of the end wall adjacent the guide eye thereon when in elevated position and being of sufficienct weight to pull the cord longitudinally when the anchoring means is released by opening the door so that the weight will depend substantially below the bottom wall of the mailbox, said guide eye on the center of the top wall of the mailbox serving as a limit means for engagement by said anchor means when the weight pulls the cord longitudinally when the door is opened thereby limiting the downward movement of the weight, said anchoring means on the forward end portion of the cord inclding an enlargement disposed interiorly of the upper edge of the top wall of the mailbox with the adjacent portion of the flexible cord being received between the edge of the top wall of the mailbox and the door when the door is in closed position thus retaining the weight in elevated, substantially concelaed and non-signally position alongside of the end wall of the mailbox and immediately adjacent the guide eye on the end wall of the mailbox. 